Winter is coming up and it is time to do maintenance on your heating and cooling system. This should not be a problem, you have plenty of help and you have done your homework online several times. You begin the process with great confidence when you hit a little problem. You have a 410A system that you upgraded to earlier this year and you only have R-22 refrigerant. Is this a good idea? Stop and take a moment to weigh out all the risks before you end up making a mistake that could cost you thousands of dollars in repairs.
What’s the Difference?
What is the difference between a R-22 and R-410A? To answer this question, you have to know what both of these are and what the difference is. In the shortest terms possible, R-22 is the colorless gas known as Chlorodifluoromethane. The basic function is to keep the heating and cooling cycle going. R-410A does the same function, they are not the same. Around 2010, heating and cooling system companies stopped using R-22 for their newer systems due to it being a hydro-chlorofluorocarbon. For those who do not know, hydro-chlorofluorocarbon is harmful to the environment because it helps deplete the ozone. R-410A, on the other hand, is environment-friendly because it uses hydro-fluorocarbon, which will not deplete the ozone. As of 2015, the U.S. has set R-410A as the new standard for all heating and cooling systems.
What You Should Consider
Is this safe and a good idea? Aside from potential environmental problems, what other factors do you need to look into when contemplating using R-22 in a 410A system? First off, if you do not know what you are doing, we at Kayl suggest that you let us do the maintenance work for you. Second, it is not a good idea to use R-22 in a 410A system. R-22 is very rare these days, thus making it more expensive to obtain. You would be better off saving your money to buy R-410A for your 410A system. Plus, R-22 use mineral oil while R-410A uses synthetic oil. The wrong type of oil can end up doing more damage than good to your heating and cooling system. In short, unless you know what you are doing, it would be best to stick with R-410A for your 410A system.
If you are in need of questions answered, maintenance, or repairs for your system, call Kayl! Our experts are ready to meet your comfort needs today.
